November 9, 2012 1:27pm ESTNovember 9, 2012 12:41pm ESTYankees second baseman Robinson Cano, a free agent after the 2013 season, reportedly is saying he won't re-sign at a hometown discount, which could leave him and the team playing hardball with each other.

Staff report

Published on Nov. 9, 2012

Nov. 9, 2012

New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, a free agent after next season who has hired agent Scott Boras with an eye toward maxing out his next contract, isn’t interested in giving the Yankees a so-called hometown discount, the New York Post reported.

The newspaper points out that the Yankees have more immediate pressing issues to address, but that the largest big-picture item they're facing is what to do with Cano. After all, the Yankees have made it a goal to keep their payroll in 2014 under the $189 million mark that triggers the luxury tax.

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According to the Post, they also want to avoid the kind of long-term commitment that has soured with Alex Rodriguez.

That’s at odds with what Cano is expecting from his next contract. The Post has reported that during the season he was telling teammates that he is expecting a 10-year contract at the top of the market.

Now the newspaper, citing an unidentified "confidant" of Cano’s, reports that the All-Star second baseman believes he has signed in New York at a discount once and will not do so again.

That’s in reference to the contract that Cano signed before the 2008 season that will become a six-year, $57 million deal after the Yankees pick up its two option seasons (2013 at $15 million being the last one). Had Cano not signed that contract, he would have been a free agent before the 2012 season.

Meantime, according to the Post, Boras said in the past week that he has spoken to Yankees president Randy Levine and GM Brian Cashman, but his strong inclination is Cano will play out this contract before any serious negotiations with the Yankees ensue. That is keeping with what Boras' clients typically do when they are approaching free agency.

For context, the Post points to two top infielders, albeit corner infielders, who signed recently: Prince Fielder (nine years, $214 million) and Joey Votto (10 years, $225 million). Boras likely will point out that a superstar middle infielder should be worth more.

Cano will be 31 when the negotiations come up, so it's hard to imagine the Yankees would venture down the A-Rod road again.

Still, Cano, who on Thursday won a Silver Slugger award, has established himself as one of the best hitters in the game, let alone at his position.

He established a career high in home runs in 2012 with 33 and a late burst in the regular season left him at .313/.379/.550. Cano also led all second basemen in games played (161), batting average, doubles (48), RBIs (94) and tied for the most runs with 105.